The National Assembly has postponed all legislative activities until July 22, 2025, in response to the death of former President Muhammadu Buhari on July 13, 2025, as announced by Senate President Godswill Akpabio on July 14.
The decision, made during an emergency session, aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a seven-day national mourning period and the Federal Government’s public holiday on Tuesday, July 15, for Buhari’s burial in Daura, Katsina State. The suspension affects committee meetings, plenary sessions, and public hearings, with staff instructed to lower flags at the National Assembly Complex to half-mast.
Akpabio cited the need to allow lawmakers and citizens to mourn and participate in burial arrangements, including a potential lying-in-state in Abuja before the 2:00 p.m. funeral on Tuesday. The move has been praised by some as a mark of respect, though opposition figures like Atiku Abubakar have questioned its impact on urgent legislative deadlines, such as the 2026 budget review.
The postponement reflects a rare consensus across party lines, with the Assembly planning a special session post-burial to honor Buhari’s legacy, including his role in strengthening democratic institutions during his 2015-2023 tenure.